1. The Mughal Empire

2. Founding of the Mughal Empire
 Babur founder
– Turkish decent
– Married to a descendent of Genghis Khan
 Conquers Delhi in 1526 to officially start
the empire

3. Humayun
 Succeeds his father to the throne
 Not as effective or likeable
 Rumors of opium addiction throughout his
reign
 Two decades of his reign are survived but
not plentiful

4. Akbar
 Takes the throne at age 13 and rules for 50
years
 Much more successful ruler
– Expanded empire
– Use of fire arms
– Mansabas to pay for his armies
 Illiterate
 Tolerant of religions
– One of his wives was a Hindu
 Famous for his patronage of the arts

5. Akbar
 Most illustrious ruler of the Mughal empire
 How did he differ from his Ottoman and
Safavid counterparts?
 Married a Rajput Princess who was a
Hindu and welcomed her family
 Very prosperous

6. Rajputs
 Warrior Class from northern India
 Hindu
 Approximately 15% of Mansabas
 Confirmed the policy of religious
accommodation

7. Major Differences Between
Peoples
 Religion
– Indian predominately Hindu
– Muslim minority ruling Hindu majority
– Muslim beliefs and Hindu beliefs not easily integrated
into a single society
– Need a new way of ruling a country with these kind of
differences

8. Religion
 Muslims
– Destroy Hindu monuments
– Expand into Hindu territory
– Enslaving prisoners of war and forcing
conversion to Islam
 Potentially dangerous division within the
country
 Akbar eases tensions by stopping worst of
the abuse

9. Akbar and Religion
 Declares himself the infallible messenger
of God in 1579
– Would this be allowed under Islam? Why or
why not?
– What do you believe is his main purpose for
doing this?
 Allows for cases to be heard by himself

10. New Religion?
 Akbar creates a new religion
– Mix of Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Sikh and
Christian beliefs

11. New Religion?
 What is Zoroastrianism?
– One of the worlds oldest monotheistic religion
 Ahura Mazda
– Elements are pure and fire represents gods light and
wisdom
– Focus on good works, thoughts and deeds
– Cord with three knots
– Pray facing a source of light (such as the sun)
– Keep minds, bodies, and spirits pure to defeat evil

12. New Religion?
 What is Sikhism?
– Founded in 15th century
– Practice religion by coping with everyday problems in
the world
– There is only one God
– God is without form, or gender
– Everyone has direct access to God
– Everyone is equal before God
– A good life is lived as part of a community, by living
honestly and caring for others
– Empty religious rituals and superstitions have no
value

13. New Religion?
 Akbar creates a new religion
– Mix of Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Sikh and
Christian beliefs
 Brings together scholars of all religions to
listen to them debate
 Made part of the court a religious ritual
 This did not continue after his death

14. Conversions Under Akbar
 Why would non-Muslim individuals convert
even if they were not forced to do so?

15. Economics under Akbar
 Relatively peaceful time period
– Conflict with other Indian Princes
 Booming trade in cotton cloth with the
Europeans
– Foreign trade from the port of Surat
– Most Europeans had lost control of ports and so were
seen as an ally to the Indians
 Military protection for trade rights
– No Navy of their own
 Did not understand the inflation of the silver in
Europe and the incredibly cheap price they were
giving the Europeans

16. Aurangzeb
 Overzealous grandson of Akbar
 Reversed stance on religious tolerance
– Caused conflict within his own empire
 Beheaded the 9th Guru of Sikhism
– Lead to the formation of the “Army of the
Pure”
 Religion begins to be at the center of
armed conflict within the country

17. Downfall of the Mughal Empire
 Land-Grant System
 Inability of Aurangzeb to effectively administer
the areas under his control
 Challenges to military from regional players
– Marathas
– Kikhs
– Hindu Rajputs
– Afghans
 Invaded by Nadir Shah
– General who took control after the fall of the Safavids
– Sacks Delhi and takes the throne with him

18. Limping Empire
 Officials begin breaking apart and
declaring themselves independent
 Religious groups break away and gain
their freedom and flourish
 Leaves the region susceptible to
European intrusion and conquest